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Jobless rate for June increases

Published: Thursday, July 25, 2013 at 9:46 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, July 25, 2013 at 9:46 p.m.

Houma-Thibodaux’s unemployment rate increased in June from a year earlier to 5.7 percent, the lowest of any Louisiana metro area, state figures show.

The preliminary jobless rate for the local metro area, which covers Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, is up from 5.1 percent in May, according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. It was 5.5 percent a year ago.

The area has posted the lowest unemployment rate among Louisiana’s eight metro areas every month this year and last year except for October.

Louisiana’s unemployment rate was 7.9 percent in June, up 0.2 percent from a year earlier and up from 7.0 percent in May.

About 1.96 million people were employed across the state in June.

Industry sectors that paced not seasonally adjusted employment were construction, which added 11,800 jobs over the year, or 9.3 percent; trade, transportation, and utilities, up 6,900 jobs, or 1.8 percent; and leisure and hospitality, up 7,100 jobs, or 3.4 percent. Total government employment was at 347,800 in June, down 5,200 over the year and 1,200 over the month.

“The long-standing job growth trends are continuing in Louisiana, and our private sector and civilian labor force are both larger than they were a year ago,” LWC Executive Director Curt Eysink said. “It is not uncommon for the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate to fluctuate this time of year with educators and students on vacation.”

June unemployment rates in other metro areas compared to a year earlier were:

<p>Houma-Thibodaux's unemployment rate increased in June from a year earlier to 5.7 percent, the lowest of any Louisiana metro area, state figures show.</p><p>The preliminary jobless rate for the local metro area, which covers Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, is up from 5.1 percent in May, according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. It was 5.5 percent a year ago.</p><p>The area has posted the lowest unemployment rate among Louisiana's eight metro areas every month this year and last year except for October.</p><p>Louisiana's unemployment rate was 7.9 percent in June, up 0.2 percent from a year earlier and up from 7.0 percent in May.</p><p>About 1.96 million people were employed across the state in June.</p><p>Industry sectors that paced not seasonally adjusted employment were construction, which added 11,800 jobs over the year, or 9.3 percent; trade, transportation, and utilities, up 6,900 jobs, or 1.8 percent; and leisure and hospitality, up 7,100 jobs, or 3.4 percent. Total government employment was at 347,800 in June, down 5,200 over the year and 1,200 over the month.</p><p>“The long-standing job growth trends are continuing in Louisiana, and our private sector and civilian labor force are both larger than they were a year ago,” LWC Executive Director Curt Eysink said. “It is not uncommon for the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate to fluctuate this time of year with educators and students on vacation.”</p><p>June unemployment rates in other metro areas compared to a year earlier were:</p><p>- Monroe, 8.5 percent, up from 8.4 percent.</p><p>- Shreveport, 8.3 percent, up from 7.6 percent.</p><p>- Alexandria, 8.1 percent, up from 7.7 percent.</p><p>- New Orleans, 7.9 percent, up from 7.8 percent.</p><p>- Baton Rouge, 7.8 percent, unchanged.</p><p>- Lake Charles, 7.0 percent, up from 7.1 percent.</p><p>- Lafayette, 6.0 percent, up from 5.7 percent.</p>